In a World of Chaos, Where do you Fit?

Greetings family,

I pray that your week has been a blessed one and that you have had time to spend with God this week.

This week has not been hectic or traumatic in anyway, but I have noticed that during the quiet times I find myself thinking of my mother and my brother in their absence. People often ask how I am doing or do I know that my mom is in a better place and that I will see her again soon. I personally have no doubt that I will see both she and my brother again soon.  Granted where they spend eternity is not up to me. That decision belongs to the Lord. Now, do I wish that they experience eternity with Christ,  of course I do, and that is all I can do. However, I can ensure that while I still remain here, I can do my part to share God's Word with others and do my best to address my own salvation through Christ our Lord.

I bring this up, because daily as I go through my studies and I am immediately in battle with the world,  whether it's with my boys (who are also part of the current culture), my vocation,  the news and the everyday people I interact with. Please let's not forget the state of our nation.

This is not one of those doom and gloom messages, this is just meant to get you to think. Earlier this week brother Brandon Payne mentioned his disappointment with the current postings on Facebook and how users have failed to take advantage of this great resource for the advancement of our people and nation.

Scripture teaches that we have a responsibility not only to our government ("Whether the Bible uses the terms “master,” “ruler,” “government,” or any other name for an established authority, the instruction is always the same – obey. We must remember that God created the authorities ruling over us just as He created us. As Paul wrote to the Romans, “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves” (Romans 13:1-2). Peter wrote, “Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right” (1 Peter 2:13-14). Both Peter and Paul also remind slaves repeatedly to be obedient to their masters for the same reasons (Ephesians 6:5-8; Colossians 3:22-25; 1 Timothy 6:1-2; 1 Peter 2:18-20; Titus 2:9-11)") excerpt from - http://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-government.html

Also, we have a responsibility to govern ourselves in a manner that gives honor to God in all that we do. - (1 Cor. 10:31; So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.- English Standard Version) (Matthew Henry Commentary : According to this advice of the apostle, Christians should take care not to use their liberty to the hurt of others, or to their own reproach. In eating and drinking, and in all we do, we should aim at the glory of God, at pleasing and honoring him. This is the great end of all religion, and directs us where express rules are wanting. A holy, peaceable, and benevolent spirit, will disarm the greatest enemies.)

I believe that this is our greatest problem, if we first understand what the Word is trying to say in this manner, it would be easier to put to practice.

1. The Rich Man and Lazarus - Luke 16:19-31
Time to accept Christ may be short. Jesus Christ himself,  explained to His disciples that many will not believe until it is to late.

2. Christ's Example of Humility - Phillipians 2:1-11
Christ gave His life for you! What more do you need, to believe?

3. Accepting Christ, makes you a new creature (change your life and actions) -2 Corinthians 5:17 New King James Version (NKJV) 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

4. The Bible teaches we must separate ourselves from this world and have Faith in Christ - Romans 12:2 - Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (This is difficult for us and our children,  the world of sin is much more intriguing,  full of freedom, no boundaries. It is this world that fools us into thinking we have time.)

5. Job - explained how God brought him in the world and can take him out. - Job 1:21 King James Version21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.  - The blessing of family and the tragic loss of family, can still end in giving glory to God. - According to GotQuestions.Org "The Book of Job teaches us to trust God under all circumstances. We must trust God, not only WHEN we do not understand, but BECAUSE we do not understand. The psalmist tells us, “As for God, His way is perfect” (Psalm 18:30)." http://www.gotquestions.org/Book-of-Job.html

6. With love and faith in Christ, our lives are restored and Jesus went to prepare a place for us.- John 14:1-14;

- I Am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life - Verse 14 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going." - Excerpt from Insight for Living http://daily.insight.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=13299

As you can see the scriptures in this message were not as long as usual. This particular message is surrounding a series of areas, from loss of a loved one,  dealing with today's culture and changing your life once accepting Christ.

I know that many of you have experienced Job-like issues in your own lives, and it is/are these events which either bring you closer to God or further away.  You are definitely not alone.  Just because someone may be farther along in their walk with the Lord, it does not negate the fact that they may also be struggling with the relationship with Him.

At the end of the day, and you walk past a mirror; whether in your home, at a store or anywhere in a public place take a moment to look at yourself, are you happy with your current status?  Is there someone or something really holding you back from success or are you the obstacle to reaching your goals. Christ is waiting on you.

 

Message for 8-4-15 (Revelation on Freedom)

Greetings,  

Brother and Sisters, believers and non-believers, those on the fence, and the lukewarm believers, I hope this message finds you in good health and continuing on a path to developing a right relationship with Christ.

Initially I was planning to write to you regarding the book of Romans. This has been part of my study, which started last week. I am also still in the book of Psalms, but, it is a good pathway that has helped me learn how to understand the importance of both the Old and New Testament.

Well, as God would have it, he had a better plan and information that he wanted to get out to you. Again, I preference my writings with stating I am not a preacher, I am not perfect and the Word I proclaim is not my own. You have every right to challenge what I say and search the scriptures for yourself. Prayerfully that is my aim, that you may find a personal relationship with Christ.

As you know my family and I are parishioners at McLean Bible Church, McLean, VA (McLeanBible.org). In the spring of 2014, our Pastor Lon Solomon, completed an 18-part series, titled a “Bible Survey”. I routinely listen to the series because it is an amazing breakdown of the books of the Bible that not only take you on a tour of history, but also allows you to understand how to apply it to your life. Additionally, it answers many questions that not only I have asked, but also I am sure you have asked the same or similar questions.

I plan to take items from his message today because; I was guided to listen to this message four times today. Each time I heard different messages that either were for me or reassured some of the choices I made in my life, to get me closer to Christ. I pray that you take a look at the words I mention and/or take a moment to listen to his message (hopefully more than once).

The message was titled “Bible Survey, part 8 – The New Testament The Epistles (Galatians, part 2) “Limiting Our Freedom in Christ” (https://www.mcleanbible.org/sermons/galatians-limiting-our-freedom-christ-0)

This message was part of a two-part sermon on the book of Galatians. According to Pastor Solomon:

1. Paul wrote Galatians in 48 A.D. to the churches he had established on his first missionary journey in southeastern Turkey. 


2. Paul’s purpose was to deal with a theological heresy that had crept into these churches – led by a group of false teachers called “Judaizers.” 


3. Judaizers’ plan of salvation = “relying on Jesus’ blood + human works.”


4. In the Book of Galatians, Paul defends God’s TRUE plan of salvation as found in the Bible: “relying on 
Jesus’ blood + no human works of any kind.”

5. But these Judaizers were also teaching that human works form the foundation of our relationship with 
God even AFTER we’re saved. 


6. “For through faith in Jesus Christ, you are all sons/daughters of God.” Galatians 3:26
[Therefore, as an adopted child of God] “. . . you are no longer under Law [human performance system with God], but under grace.” Romans 6:14 


7. “. . . nothing in creation [even our bad performance] shall be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:39

8. As a follower of Christ, I can do anything I want without it ever endangering the family bond between me and my Heavenly Father.

9. “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore, stand firm in that freedom and do not let yourself be subjected again to a yoke of bondage [i.e. performance system in relation to God].” Galatians 5:1

10. Biblical Balance:
While it is true that we have this wonderful freedom in Christ – it is just as true that God asks us to “limit” that freedom at certain times and in certain circumstances.

11. “For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh . . .” Galatians 5:13a

 Pastor Solomon spoke about six Sieves (Coffee filters) that we should use to guide our “Freedom in Christ” Please see them below and review my comments afterwards.

- If a contemplated action gets caught in one of these six “sieves” – then God is telling me to “limit” my freedom here.

- “All things may be lawful for me, but not all things are profitable.” 1 Corinthians 10:23a


- Just because I have the freedom in Christ to do anything I want without losing God’s love – does not mean that I should!


Sieve #1 – “Is it intrinsically offensive to God [sin]?”

- “As obedient children . . . like the Holy One who called you, be holy in all your behavior. For it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’” 1 Peter 1:14-16

- God calls on us to pursue holy behavior in our lives.
When we don’t, God “disciplines” us as His children [Hebrews 12:6].


- And sometimes, God allows the bad consequences of our sinful behavior to come upon us [Galatians 6:7].

Sieve #2 – “Will it harm me physically?”


 “. . . your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God. You are not your own, you were bought with a price. Therefore, honor God in your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

There are lots of things we have freedom in Christ to do – but which will harm our bodies [which are not our property]!


Sieve #3 – “Will it help me spiritually?”

“. . . let us throw off every weight, and the sin that so easily besets us, so we can run with endurance the race that is set before us.” Hebrews 12:1

God tells us not to load our lives up with “extra weight” spiritually that turns our “race for God” into a “crawl for God.”

“Flee sexual immorality! Every other sin a person does is outside their body; but the person who commits sexual immorality sins against their own body.” 1 Corinthians 6:18

Sexual sin wounds both people involved in a special way.


Sieve #4 – “Will it identify me with unrighteous things even though I may not actually be doing anything wrong?”

 “. . . avoid all appearance of evil.” 1 Thessalonians 5:22

 “Do not let your good be evil spoken of.” Romans 14:16

 Many times we can exercise some freedom in Christ with a pure heart, but the questions is – “Are we giving off the appearance of evil?”

Sieve #5 – “Will it hurt a fellow believer’s Christian walk?”


“It is not good to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother [sister] to stumble.” Romans 14:21


The mark of a mature follower of Christ is the attitude that says: “I care so much about my fellow Christian’s walk, that I will set aside any freedom I have to – in order not to hurt their walk.”

Sieve #6 – “Will it hurt my platform for evangelism with non-believers?”


“Walk in wisdom when it comes to those who are outsiders . . .” Colossians 4:5


“But I have used none of these rights, lest I hinder the Gospel of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 9:12b

Once we “go public for Jesus Christ” – people start watching us like a hawk.

They have certain expectations as to how a Christian should act – and if we violate them – it will destroy our evangelistic platform with them.

As usual I am sure you are wondering where this is coming from. Over the last several days, I have either witnessed something about myself, people I come across or even members of my family and I question the words I say to them or the actions I portray. Especially the way I interact with my wife and children. Now that my boys are moving into adulthood, I see some similarities in their behavior or characteristics that resemble some of my own actions or that of other people who are or were once in the world. I routinely share with them the results of my actions and how although God forgave me of my sins, I was still required to receive the punishment.

In today’s society it is difficult to understand where people are headed. Initially I used to think it had to do with age or it was a generational thing. I realized that for the most part it is about free will and the Freedom many Believers have in Christ. Those who have not accepted Christ as their personal savior are acting purely on free will, while believers choose take their freedoms to the limit, with the belief that Christ will forgive me no matter what I do. I can only tell you that, you will have to pay for what you do in disobedience to God. You may not even believe any of this, but that day will come when you have to determine whether it is real or fake. For some making lifestyle changes in accordance to the “Six Sieve’s above may be difficult. However, you will have to decide whether you soul or that of another is worth it. I would suggest that each of us examine our current situations and run our lives through these filters to determine what needs to be changed. It may convict you, but in the end, this will save your life.

I pray that God keeps you and covers you in His grace. May God richly bless you.